Powered guard group for a machine

ABSTRACT

The disclosure describes, in one aspect, a powered guard group for a machine, the guard group including a frame, a linkage, a door, and an actuator for moving the guard group between an open position and a closed position.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority from Indian PatentApplication No. 1362/DEL/2013 by Gopalsamy et al., filed May 7, 2013,the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a guard group for a machineand more particularly to a powered bottom guard group to protect theunderside and/or mechanical components of the machine.

BACKGROUND

Work machines, such as track-type tractors, utilize various types ofguards to protect vulnerable portions of the machine. One particulartype of guard is a bottom guard which is secured to the bottom of a workmachine to protect portions of the engine, transmissions, or other vitalmachine components. This type of guard is generally bolted to the caseand frame of the machine. In order to sufficiently protect the bottomand components of the work machine from impacts with objects such asrocks, stumps, soil and debris, the guards must have adequate structuralintegrity, high yield strength and adequate wear properties. The sizeand material requirements of the guards make the guard large and heavy,which make the guards difficult to remove. In addition, work machinesare often used in muddy conditions which can result in excessive debrisaccumulation on the guards. The additional weight of the debris makesthe guards even heavier.

One example of a bottom guard is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,957,180,titled Guard Assembly for a Vehicle. The '180 Patent discloses a guardassembly for protecting the lower portions of an earthmoving machine,such as the engine, transmission and drive train, the guard assemblyincluding a guard plate fastened to the machine frame using threadedfasteners.

The foregoing background discussion is intended solely to aid thereader. It is not intended to limit the disclosure, and thus should notbe taken to indicate that any particular element of a prior system isunsuitable for use within the disclosure, nor is it intended to indicatethat any element, including solving the motivating problem, is essentialin implementing the systems and methods described herein. Theimplementations and application of the systems and methods describedherein are defined by the appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disclosure describes, in one aspect, a guard group for a workmachine including a door having an inner side, an outer side, a firstedge and a second edge, the first edge being opposite of the secondedge, the door being configured to move between a closed position and anopen position and a linkage coupled to the door. In addition, the guardgroup includes a frame coupled to the linkage, the frame having at leasttwo stiffners, the stiffners being configured to contact the inner sideand inhibit the door from moving when the door is in the closed positionand is contacted by a rock, stump or the like; and an actuator coupledto the linkage, the actuator being configured to move the door betweenthe closed position and the open position.

In another aspect, the disclosure describes a guard group for a machineincluding a first door movable between a closed position and an openposition, the first door being configured to inhibit rocks, branches andthe like from striking a mechanical component when the first door is inthe closed position and a second door movable between a closed positionand an open position, the second door being configured to inhibit rocks,branches and the like from striking a mechanical component when thesecond door is in the closed position. The guard group also includes afirst linkage coupled to the first door, a second linkage coupled to thesecond door, a first actuator coupled to the first linkage, the firstpower actuator being configured to move the first door between theclosed position and the open position; and a second actuator coupled tothe second linkage, the second power actuator being configured to movethe second door between the closed position and the open position.

In yet another aspect the disclosure describes a machine having achassis, a work implement coupled to the chassis, a prime mover coupledto the chassis, a first and second track assembly powered by the primemover and configured to selectively move the machine; and a guard groupcoupled to the chassis. The guard group includes a first guard mountingsurface coupled to the chassis, a second guard mounting surface, a firststiffner and a second stiffner coupled to the first guard mountingsurface and the second guard mounting surface, a linkage coupled to thefirst guard mounting surface, a door coupled to the linkage, the doorbeing configured to move between a closed position and an open positionand an actuator coupled to the linkage, the actuator being configured tomove the door between the closed position and the open position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a machine.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a guard group for a machine showing theguard group in a closed position.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the guard group of FIG. 2 showing the guardgroup in a closed position.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the guard group of FIG. 2 showing theguard group in an open position.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the guard group of FIG. 2 showing the guardgroup in an open position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view ofa machine 10. The illustrated machine 10 is a track-type tractor, butthe invention herein is not limited to track-type tractors and includesother machines such as off highway trucks, skid steer machines, backhoeloaders, landfill compactors, shovels, excavators, motor graders, wheelloaders and the like. The machine 10 includes a chassis 14, a workimplement 18, a prime mover 22, two track assemblies 26 and a guardgroup 30. In the illustrated embodiment the work implement 18 is a bladeand is coupled to the chassis 14. The prime mover 22 may be an internalcombustion engine and is coupled to the chassis 14. The two trackassemblies 26 are powered by the prime mover 22, serve to selectivelymove the machine 10 and are coupled to the chassis 14. The guard group30 (best seen in FIG. 2) is coupled to the chassis 14.

The guard group 30 is shown in a closed position in FIGS. 2 and 3 and inan open position in FIGS. 4 and 5. The guard group 30 is coupled to anunderside of the machine 10. In the illustrated embodiment the guardgroup 30 is approximately in a center portion of the underside of themachine 10, although in other embodiments the guard group 30 may bebiased to the left, right, front or back of the machine 10. The guardgroup 30 in the illustrated embodiments includes two guard assemblies34, although other embodiments may include more or less guard assemblies34. As the guard assemblies 34 are substantially similar only one guardassembly 34 will be described herein. In the illustrated embodiment theguard assembly 34 includes a frame 38, two doors 42, four linkages 46,and two actuators 50.

The frame 38, best shown in FIG. 4, includes a first guard mountingsurface 54, a second guard mounting surface 58, a plurality of stiffners62 and a cross-member 66. The first guard mounting surface 54 and secondguard mounting surface 58 are sized and configured to allow the frame 38to be coupled to the chassis 14 of the machine 10. The frame 38 may becoupled to the chassis 14 by welding, fasteners or the like. In oneembodiment the frame 38 and the chassis 14 are integral. In theillustrated embodiment the first guard mounting surface 54 and secondguard mounting surface 58 are contoured to match the contour of thechassis 14. At least one of the plurality of stiffners 62 couples thefirst guard mounting surface 54 to the second guard mounting surface 58.In the illustrated embodiments three stiffners 62 couple the first guardmounting surface 54 to the second guard mounting surface 58. Thecross-member 66 couples the three stiffners 62 together, thecross-member 66 running substantially perpendicular to the stiffners 62.As can be seen in FIG. 4, the cross-member 66 is disposed approximatelyin the center of the guard assembly 34 and is coupled to the pluralityof stiffners 62 at a center portion 70 of each of the plurality ofstiffners 62. The cross-member 66 also has a plurality of openings 74thereon to receive threaded fasteners or the like. In the illustratedembodiment bolts are disposed proximate to the openings 74. In anotherembodiment the openings 74 are threaded.

The guard assembly 34 in the illustrated embodiment includes two doors42, although other embodiments may have only a single door 42. Otherembodiments may have more than two doors 42. In the illustratedembodiment the two doors 42 are substantially similar, so only a singledoor 42 will be described herein.

The door 42 includes an inner side 78, an outer side 82, a first edge 86and a second edge 90. The first edge 86 is disposed opposite of thesecond edge 90. The door 42 is configured to pivot between a closedposition and an open position. In the illustrated embodiment the door 42is contoured to match the contour of the frame 38. The door 42 alsoincludes a plurality of openings 94 disposed thereon, the plurality ofopenings 94 being sized and configured to allow a threaded fastener topass therethrough. It may be said that the doors 42 move between theopen position and the closed position, which may be synonymous with theguard group 30 moving between the closed position and the open position.

The guard assembly 34 includes four linkages 46, as best seen in FIG. 2.Each linkage 46 is substantially similar, so only one linkage 46 will bedescribed herein. The linkage 46 is coupled to the door 42. The linkage46 is pivotally coupled to the frame 38 to allow the linkage 46 torotate with respect to the frame 38. The linkage 46 is approximately inthe shape of a “C”, although other shapes are contemplated. In theillustrated embodiment two linkages 46 are coupled to each door 42,although other embodiments may couple more or less linkages 46 to eachdoor 42. As is best seen in FIG. 5, the linkages 46 serve to support thedoor 42 when the guard group 30 is in the open position. The linkages 46also support the door 42 when the guard group 30 is in the closedposition, although threaded fasteners may also be used.

The guard assembly 34 includes two actuators 50. The actuators 50 aresubstantially similar so only one actuator 50 will be described herein.The actuator 50 is coupled to the linkage 46 at one end and to an arm 98at the other end. In some embodiments the actuator 50 may be coupled tothe linkage 46 at one end and to one of the frame 38 and the chassis 14at the other end. The actuators 50 serve to move the doors 42 to allowthe guard group 30 to change from the open position to the closedposition and back. In the illustrated embodiment the actuators 50 arehydraulic actuators, although other actuators such as electric motorsare contemplated.

Industrial Applicability

The guard group 30 is useful for protecting an underside of a machine 10and more specifically mechanical components, such as the prime mover 22,a transmission, a hydraulic pump, etc., of the machine 10 from strikingstumps, rocks or the like when the machine 10 is moving. The guard group30 is also useful for protecting the mechanical components from debrisaccumulation, tar, oil sands or the like. Machines 10 need maintenanceor repairs and the guard group 30 is useful for allowing maintenancepersonnel easy access to the mechanical components protected by theguard group 30. The guard group 30 is preferred over other guardsbecause the guard group 30 is powered, thus the maintenance personnelare not required to remove a large, heavy guard group from the machine.Rather, the guard group 30 may be powered between the open position andthe closed position.

If the guard group 30 is in the open position and maintenance personnelwish to move it to the closed position, the maintenance personnel powerthe actuators 50 to move the actuators 50, and thus the guard group 30,into the closed position. In the illustrated embodiment the actuators 50are powered by a hydraulic pump that is separate from the machine 10,while in other embodiments the actuators 50 may receive power from thehydraulic pump on the machine 10. The actuators 50 are sufficientlystrong to hold the guard group 30 in the closed position, butmaintenance personnel may wish to couple the doors 42 to the frame 38with threaded fasteners or the like to minimize the possibility of thedoors 42 moving when struck by stumps, rocks or the like.

If the guard group 30 is in the closed position and maintenancepersonnel wish to move it to the open position, the maintenancepersonnel must first remove any threaded fasteners (if present) couplingthe doors 42 to the frame 38. The maintenance personnel then power theactuators 50 to move the actuators 50, and thus the guard group 30, intothe open position. When the guard group 30 is in the open positionmechanical components are accessible for maintenance or repairs.

The guard group 30 may be removed from the machine 10 if a largemechanical component, such as the transmission, needs to be removed fromthe machine 10.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing description provides examplesof the disclosed system and technique. However, it is contemplated thatother implementations of the disclosure may differ in detail from theforegoing examples. All references to the disclosure or examples thereofare intended to reference the particular example being discussed at thatpoint and are not intended to imply any limitation as to the scope ofthe disclosure more generally. All language of distinction anddisparagement with respect to certain features is intended to indicate alack of preference for those features, but not to exclude such from thescope of the disclosure entirely unless otherwise indicated.

Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalentsof the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permittedby applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-describedelements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by thedisclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearlycontradicted by context.

What is claimed is:
 1. A guard group for a work machine comprising: adoor having an inner side, an outer side, a first edge and a secondedge, the first edge being opposite of the second edge, the door beingconfigured to move between a closed position and an open position; alinkage coupled to the door; a frame coupled to the linkage, the framehaving at least two stiffners, the stiffners being configured to contactthe inner side and inhibit the door from moving when the door is in theclosed position and is contacted by a rock, stump or the like; and anactuator coupled to the linkage, the actuator being configured to movethe door between the closed position and the open position.
 2. The guardgroup of claim 1 further comprising a cross-member coupled to at leastone of the at least two stiffners, the cross-member being coupled to theat least one of the at least two stiffners at a center portion of the atleast one of the at least two stiffners.
 3. The guard group of claim 1wherein the frame comprises at least three stiffners, each stiffnerbeing configured to contact the inner side and inhibit the door frommoving when the outside side is contacted by a rock, stump or the like.4. The guard group of claim 3 wherein the linkage is pivotally coupledto the frame.
 5. The guard group of claim 4 wherein the actuator is ahydraulic actuator.
 6. The guard group of claim 1 wherein the secondedge is configured to be selectively coupled to the frame using afastener when the door is in the closed position.
 7. The guard group ofclaim 1 wherein the actuator is coupled to the frame.
 8. A guard groupfor a machine comprising: a first door movable between a closed positionand an open position, the first door being configured to inhibit rocks,branches and the like from striking a mechanical component when thefirst door is in the closed position; a second door movable between aclosed position and an open position, the second door being configuredto inhibit rocks, branches and the like from striking a mechanicalcomponent when the second door is in the closed position; a firstlinkage coupled to the first door; a second linkage coupled to thesecond door; a first actuator coupled to the first linkage, the firstpower actuator being configured to move the first door between theclosed position and the open position; and a second actuator coupled tothe second linkage, the second power actuator being configured to movethe second door between the closed position and the open position. 9.The guard group of claim 8 further comprising a frame having a firstguard mounting surface, a second guard mounting surface, a firststiffner, a second stiffner and a third stiffner wherein the firststiffner, second stiffner, and third stiffner are each coupled to thefirst guard mounting surface and the second guard mounting surface andfurther wherein the first linkage is coupled to the first guard mountingsurface and the second linkage is coupled to the second guard mountingsurface.
 10. The guard group of claim 9 further comprising a thirdlinkage and a fourth linkage, the third linkage being coupled to thefirst door and the fourth linkage being coupled to the second door. 11.The guard group of claim 9 further comprising a cross-member coupled toat least one of the first stiffner, second stiffner and third stiffnerand wherein the first door is configured to be selectively coupled to atleast one of the cross-member, first stiffner, second stiffner and thirdstiffner using a fastener when the first door is in the closed position.12. The guard group of claim 9 wherein the actuator is hydraulicallypowered.
 13. A machine comprising: a chassis; a work implement coupledto the chassis; a prime mover coupled to the chassis; a first and secondtrack assembly powered by the prime mover and configured to selectivelymove the machine; and a guard group coupled to the chassis, the guardgroup comprising: a first guard mounting surface coupled to the chassis;a second guard mounting surface; a first stiffner and a second stiffnercoupled to the first guard mounting surface and the second guardmounting surface; a linkage coupled to the first guard mounting surface;a door coupled to the linkage, the door being configured to move betweena closed position and an open position; an actuator coupled to thelinkage, the actuator being configured to move the door between theclosed position and the open position.
 14. The machine of claim 13further comprising a second door and a second linkage, the secondlinkage being coupled to the second guard mounting surface and thesecond door, the second door being configured to move between a closedposition and an open position.
 15. The machine of claim 13 wherein thedoor is configured to inhibit rocks, branches and the like from strikinga mechanical component when the door is in the closed position.
 16. Themachine of claim 15 further comprising a third linkage coupled to thedoor and the first guard mounting surface.
 17. The machine of claim 15wherein the actuator is a hydraulic actuator.
 18. The machine of claim17 wherein the work machine is a track-type tractor.
 19. The machine ofclaim 13 further comprising a cross-member coupled to the firststiffner, the cross-member being perpendicular to the first stiffner andwherein the door is selectively coupled to the cross-member when thedoor is in the closed position.
 20. The machine of claim 19 wherein thecross-member inhibits the door from moving when a rock, stump or thelike presses against the door.